Oct 12, 2026 9:00pm IST
‘Jailer 2’: Rajinikanth’s Film Generates Big Buzz, But Pre-Release Hype Remains in Check (EXCLUSIVE)
The buzz around Rajinikanth’s “Jailer 2” is building as the mass entertainer gears up for a worldwide release on October 15. Advance bookings opened on Sunday, with ticket demand gathering pace. According to Sacnilk, the film has sold tickets worth ₹16.84 crore for its first three days, with Day 1 alone accounting for a whopping ₹14.26 crore.
Directed by Nelson and produced by Sun Pictures, “Jailer 2” is the sequel to the 2023 blockbuster. Rajinikanth returns as the iconic cop, “Tiger” Muthuvel Pandian, alongside Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu, SJ Suryah, Mithun Chakraborty and Suraj Venjaramoodu. Adding to the star power is a battalion of special appearances by stars from other industries, including Mohanlal, Shivarajkumar, Vidya Balan, Hrithik Roshan and Jackie Shroff.
Related Stories
Tamil Nadu leads the advance booking charts, with Chennai emerging as a key market, followed by Kerala and Karnataka. However, compared to Rajinikanth’s previous outings like “Coolie” and “Jailer,” the ticket-buying frenzy appears relatively subdued. Bookings in Salem are yet to open amid a dispute over terms and conditions. Overseas, pre-sales have crossed the $1 million mark, with the US market contributing significantly.
With three days to go, advance bookings in Tamil Nadu are expected to gather momentum. Gone are the days when a Rajinikanth biggie would sell out over the weekend before release. Today, audiences increasingly adopt a “wait and watch for reports” approach before buying tickets.
Clearly, Tamil cinema is now driven as much by social media buzz and First Day First Show reports as by pre-release hype. Interestingly, trade circles believe the relatively restrained expectations could work in “Jailer 2”’s favor, just as they did for “Jailer” (2023), which began with modest expectations before turning into a blockbuster.
Comments are moderated. They may be edited for clarity and reprinting in whole or in part in Variety publications.